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Tag: Ekiti STATE

  • Glamour as Ekiti monarch marks 21st coronation anniversary

    The anniversary of Alare of Are-Ekiti marking his 21st years on his ancestors’ throne was another watershed in the history of the community. RASAQ IBRAHIM reports the thrills and glamour that characterised the historic event.

    It was celebrations galore at Are-Ekiti, Ekiti State, as the Alare of Are-Ekiti, Oba Jacob Boluwade Adebiyi (Olofinkinmilehin III)  celebrated his 21st coronation anniversary. He ascended the throne of his forebears  in 1998.

    Among those who attended the epoch-making event were first-class traditional rulers, eminent Nigerians, captains of industry and members of the political class. They came from all walks of life to celebrate with the traditional ruler.

    The weather was clement; as many who are indigenous to Are-Ekiti and other residents thronged the exquisite King’s Court to celebrate with Oba Adebiyi Boluwade.

    The occasion would always remain indelible in the memory of the celebrator and his subjects because of its significance.

    Never was there a time in the history of the town when indigenes and residents witnessed such huge crowd of personalities at one function.

    For the people of the town, it was a joyous occasion characterised by merriment and fanfare.

    It was also a re-union for all sons and daughters of the community at home and in the Diaspora who came to celebrate with their king.

    Governor Kayode Fayemi led eminent personalities to the coronation anniversary, which took place at the exquisite King’s Court. The governor’s presence and those of other personalities added glamour to the ceremony.

    Other  eminent personalities who attended the event included the Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, Commissoner for Local Government and Rural Development, Prof. Adio Folayan, the member-elect representing Irepodun/Ifelodun Constituency 1, Hon. Akeem Jamiu, Rev. Dr. Jide Ajayi, top government officials, captains of industry and community leaders.

    Aside these, there were also many first-class traditional rulers among who were His Imperial Majesty, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II, who was represented by Oba Adekunle Adebowale;  Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe; Alara of Aramoko, Oba Adegoke Adeyemi; Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti, Oba Ademola Ajakaiye and a host of others.

    For the Alare, the event was a showcase for appreciation of God’s grace and mercy for giving him the opportunity to realise his dream of becoming a monarch.

    He felt fulfilled that Are-Ekiti had grown in leaps and bounds in terms of infrastructural development, economic prosperity and educational growth.

    Beaming with smiles, the elated Alare appreciated the presence of everyone who attended the event, especially Governor Kayode Fayemi.

    The monarch sang along the congregation and complemented it with dance, in which his chiefs joined. The monarch and his chiefs made a spectacular show in the house of God.

    The Alare told the gathering that he had prepared a special address which he would not read as he didn’t want to bore the guests with a long speech, adding that he merely wanted to  appreciate God for His bountiful mercy and for making the day a glorious one.

    “I give glory to God for this grace. The longevity on the throne was due to His grace and the people”, he said.

    Oba Adebiyi thanked Governor Fayemi for his tremendous efforts at effecting rapid development in all nook and cranny of the state and in Are-Ekiti in particular.

    He revealed that within the 21 years he has been on the throne, the town has witnessed geometric progression in terms of infrastructure, basic social amenities, economic and educational development.

    He commended prominent Are-Ekiti sons and daughters for their invaluable contributions to the sustainable growth and development of the town.

    He, however, called on them not to relent until the town attains its pride position among the towns in Ekiti State and Nigeria as a whole.

    “The development and growth of our town should be a necessity for all indigenes both at home and in the Diaspora.

    “I urge everyone to embark on establishment of industries which are catalyst for job creation for the teeming unemployed youths and effect developmental changes.

    “My people cannot thank you enough, Mr Governor. You have been helpful always and we pray that God will continue to support and bless you.

    “I appeal to all sons and daughters of this noble town to support the Fayemi-led administration in return for his good deeds during his first term.

    In his speech, Fayemi, who was the special guest of honour said Oba Adebiyi’s ascension to the throne has brought rapid socio-economic growth and development to Are-Ekiti in particular and Ekiti State in general.

    The governor revealed that the monarch has demonstrated exemplary leadership style in piloting the traditional affairs of the town for the betterment of its people.

    He described the monarch as an exceptional royal father whose rapacious penchant for truthfulness has endeared him to many and etched his name in the mind of the people.

    Fayemi promised to be supportive of any developmental agenda of the community targeted at accelerating the living standard of residents.

    He added that the monarch never shied away from the truth not minding how you feel about him. And this has endeared him to many.

    “I have come today to celebrate with our royal father not because of my supporters or members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in this town. The governor is for all traditional rulers and people of the state.

    “I assure Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area and Are-Ekiti in particular that more infrastructural development will be witnessed during this second term.

    “More notably, Are-Ekiti to Iworoko Road that needs immediate resurgence will be rehabilitated. And 5km road projects that had not been completed will be completed.

    “Work will soon commence on the construction of some ring roads which include Iworoko-Eyio-Igede and Ado- Ekiti-Afao. And Are-Ekiti is not an exemption.

    He reiterated his administration’s commitment to create job opportunities for the unemployed youths, saying not everyone can secure government and white collar jobs but his government will empower them.

    “I have to thank the celebrator for his support from time immemorial. And I pray Almighty God to grant him excellent health, prosperity and many more years to continue his immeasurable service to the people of  Are-Ekiti and Ekiti in general”, Fayemi said.

    The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi said he identified with the celebrator for witnessing the landmark.

    Ogunwusi wished him more fruitful and prosperous reign, saying Yoruba race would continue to benefit from his wise counsels and experience.

    The grand finale also featured other activities that included conferment of chieftaincy titles on some personalities.

    Those conferred with chieftaincy titles were Chief Tope Fagun as Bobajiro of Are-Ekiti; Prof. Benjamin Ozumba and his wife as Gbobaniyi and Yeye Gbobaniyi of Are-Ekiti.

    Others were Surveyor Idowu Richard and his wife as Aare–Akorewolu and Yeye Aare- Akorewolu of Are-Ekiti and Chief Nathaniel Uzomah and his wife as Bobagunwa and Yeye Bobagunwa of Are-Ekiti.

    Speaking with one of the elders in the town, Rev. Jide Ajayi  described the monarch as agent of societal development, saying the history of modern Are-Ekiti could not be complete without him.

  • Ekiti gets World Bank’s support to revive farm settlements

    THE Ekiti State government’s agriculture and rural development programme has received a major boost.

    The World Bank is supporting the initiative.

    Governor Kayode Fayemi broke the news on Sunday at his Isan Ekiti country home.

    According to the governor, the initiative called Rural Access and Marketing Programme (RAMP) will connect Ekiti rural communities to the urban centres and market places.

    It will also help in the reconstruction of farm settlements; many of which were built in the fifties by the   late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, but were not put to good use.

    Fayemi explained that the initiative would help provide basic amenities at the farm settlements to encourage farmers in the areas to focus on their agricultural activities.

    The governor said: “One of my assistants is going to be focusing on agric and farmsteads because, in the course of my campaigns, I went round those farmsteads. My wife also toured the farmsteads extensively. There are things that are required by the people in those farms that will make their work a lot better in terms of social amenities, social investment, in terms of ensuring that we connect the farms to the market.

    “So, we have another initiative that is being supported by the World Bank, which is known as Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Programme (RAMP). This is meant to assist us to connect our rural communities to the urban centres and the market places in the hope that we can also reconstruct our farm settlements, provide the necessary amenities there and ensure that our people stay back in those places without missing the amenities they ought to have if they were to be in the cities,” he said.

    On the College of Technical and Commercial Agriculture, which was scrapped by his predecessor, Fayemi said a bill for the re-enactment of the college establishment law would soon be sent back to the State House of Assembly to enable the school to begin operation legally.

  • Military JTF deployed to Ekiti-Kwara border against bandits

    Ekiti State government has ordered the deployment of military Joint Task Force patrol across towns sharing border with Kwara State.

    The operational squad was instituted to curtail the overbearing influence of the suspected killer -bandits.

    Some suspected herdsmen last week Tuesday besieged a farmstead called Eda under Iyemero in Ikole Local Government Area of the State and shot two persons.

    They also raided some houses during the midnight attack.

    Those shot by assailants, including a seven-year- old boy later died in the hospital, which prompted Governor Kayode Fayemi to seek military intervention to save the border town from further carnage.

    The Olu of Iyemero-Ekiti Oba Ebenezer Ogungbemi commended Fayemi for his quick and tactical intervention.

    He said this was a true reflection of responsive and people-centred government.

    The monarch and members of his council, in a letter dated April, 20 and addressed to Fayemi, said the concerted effort of military and local hunters would annihilate the suspected killer herders and restore peace to the beleaguered community.

    Ogungbemi assured the community would help the soldiers with sensitive information to stem the tides of killings in the town.

    He said about 60 persons displaced from their respective houses and took refuge in his palace for three days, had since returned home due to Fayemi’s timely intervention.

    Read Also: MNJTF neutralises 39 terrorists

    The letter reads: “We are thankful to Governor Fayemi for deploying military joint task force to restore permanent peace and tranquillity to the people of Iyemero, which has guaranteed peaceful coexistence among the residents of the community.

    “Olu-in-Council and entire people of Iyemero Ekiti wish to express our deepest and  heartfelt  gratitude to the governor  for his immediate and prompt response during the last week insurgency , which  led to death, maiming , displacement, chaos and disturbance of public peace in our town.

    “With the support and assurances of Mr Governor, we are convinced that lasting peace is in sight and we are protected from the yet to be identified assailants and terrorists.

    “We are happy to inform you that the displaced farmers had returned to their farmstead”.

    The monarch added that the Governor had built the foundation of trust and confidence in the residents by approving immediate construction of a police station in Iyemero, which will provide safety and ward off criminals from the boundary community

    Ogungbemi assured that the local hunters had started receiving instructions on the need to be conventional in approach and refrain from any action that could portray them as being vindictive against any ethnic group.

    “This military deployment won’t stop us from being security conscious.

    “We are not unaware that the military can only discharge their duties effectively when they are provided with truthful information they can work upon.

    “We are also looking inwards to ensure that saboteurs have no room to operate, so that the operation targeted at curtailing these blood sucking bandits can be successful,” he said.

    The monarch expressed appreciation to the governor for being magnanimous towards the injured through payment of their hospital bills.

  • APC to Oni: embrace Fayemi’s olive branch for greater Ekiti

    THE Ekiti State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has appealed to former Governor Segun Oni to accept the verdict of the Supreme Court in the best interest of the state.

    The party said Ekiti State’s growth would be accelerated if the party members could sheathe swords and work assiduously in tandem with the four cardinal points of the governor.

    In a statement in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, the APC Chairman, Paul Omotoso, said both Fayemi and Oni are eminent members of the party and Ekiti citizens, who should be united in spirits for a prosperous Ekiti.

    Omotosho said the party perceived the judgment as no victor, no vanquished, just like Governor Fayemi felt about it.

    The party, he said, must be focused to be able to deliver on its promises to Ekiti populace.

    The apex court on Wednesday dismissed the eligibility case filed by Oni against Fayemi, where he prayed the court to nullify the governor’s participation in the Ekiti APC governorship primary.

    Oni, in the suit, said he won the May 26, 2018 primary since Fayemi was not qualified on the basis of his alleged refusal to resign 30 days before primary as stipulated by the party’s constitution.

    Omotoso hailed the resilience and dogged determination of some members of the party to think of a legitimate way of challenging a primary, rather than resorting to self-defence.

    The party chairman added that the court remains the best democratic channel to challenge the outcome of any election, saying the party won’t sanction Oni and his supporters for exhausting legal mechanism in fighting their course.

    He said: “The judgment by the highest court in the land affirming and authenticating the victory of Dr. Fayemi at the primary was a welcome development.

    “At this point, I want to remind all members of APC in Ekiti State that this victory belongs to us all. We should now put this behind us and join hands with the administration of Dr. Fayemi to move the state forward.”

  • I have no grudge against Segun Oni – Fayemi

    Ekiti State Gov. Kayode Fayemi says he has no grudge against his predecessor, Chief Segun Oni, for challenging his election victory in court.

    Fayemi spoke in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday while reacting to his victory at the Supreme Court in the eligibility suit filed by Oni.

    The governor, who bared his mind after swearing-in the new Head of Service, Mr. Ayodele Ajayi, said what bothered him, however, was the distractions.

    He said the Supreme Court judgment would now enable the state to move forward and end all contentions about his emergence.

    The governor also said the apex court judgment showed that he properly resigned in line with the constitutional provision, contrary to Oni’s claim.

    The governor further said the primaries of the party which produced him as All Progressives Congress (APC)  governorship candidate in the state in 2018 was free, fair and devoid of manipulations.

    “Ekiti must move forward. Enough of these distractions. Enough of these recriminations over matters that ought not to go to court.

    ” It is very clear that I resigned in accordance with the constitution of the land and that the shenanigans that culminated in the White Paper that said Fayemi should not serve in public office have been dealt with in the appropriate law courts as the thrash that it was at the time.

    Read Also: Fayemi’s dream team comes on board

    “It also shows clearly that the primaries that took place in Ekiti for anyone who is objective enough was the cleanest, the fairest and most credible primaries that had ever taken place in the history of electioneering in Nigeria.

    “Now that the highest court in the land has pronounced definitely on it, I hope he (Oni) would see it as a cue to play a more active role in the party.

    “Oni, to the best of my knowledge, remains a member of the APC. I don’t believe he has removed himself from the party.

    “But I think this would not lead to another round of recriminations and attacks,” he said.

    The governor, while swearing-in the new Head of Service, had urged him to be upright and provide the right leadership for the civil service.

    “We will not tolerate any breach of the accord we have signed with Ekiti people. Do your best, justify the confidence reposed in you.

    “Though people will be congratulating you, I commiserate with you because so much is expected of you, and you cannot afford to disappoint us,” Fayemi said.

    In his response, Ajayi pledged to provide strong leadership for the civil service in the state.

    NAN

     

  • Again, Oni loses bid to sack Fayemi

    It was a third consecutive loss for ex-Governor Segun Oni in his bid to sack Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State as the Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed the appeal he filed.

    The appeal was against an earlier judgment of the Court of Appeal, which upheld the decision of a Federal High Court, dismissing Oni’s suit challenging Fayemi’s eligibility to contest the last governorship election held in the state on June 14, 2018.

    The Supreme Court, in a unanimous judgment of a five-man panel, held on Wednesday, that the appeal by Oni was statute barred and therefore, incompetent.

    Justice Amiru Sanusi, in the lead judgment, held that the case, being a pre-election one, was not commenced at the trial court, within the time provided under Section 285 of the Constitution.

    Justice Sanusi said the case was not commenced in accordance with the provision of Section 285 of the Constitution, requiring all pre-election cases to be initiated within 14 days of the occurrence of the cause of action.

    He noted that from the record before the court Oni filed his suit at the trial court – the Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti, 42 days after the cause of action arose.

    Justice Sanusi said the development robbed the court of the jurisdiction to hear the appeal, while he said was incompetent and had become an academic exercise.

    Another member of the panel, Justice John Okoro faulted the attitude exhibited by the appellant and advised politicians to always act decently.

    Justice Okoro wondered why Oni, who had conceded defeat, on emerging second in the governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), made a sudden u-turn and chose to challenge the outcome of the primary in court.

    Read Also: Fayemi appoints new Head of Service

    The judge, who noted that, even among the mafias, there are rules, came down hard on Nigerian politicians, who he observed, act without honour.

    Oni had, upon emerging second behind Fayemi in the primary held by the APC to select its candidate for last governorship election in Ekiti State, sued, challenging Fayemi’s eligibility to contest the election.

    He prayed the court to declare that Fayemi was not eligible to contest the election on the grounds that he was not validly nominated, having allegedly failed to resign his position as Minister of Mines and Steel Development 30 days before the primary election.

    Oni also asked the court to declare Fayemi ineligible for the election given that he was indicted by the Justice Silas Oyewole-led commission of inquiry set up by former Governor Ayo Fayose to investigate his first tenure between 2010 and 2014.

    He equally sought the withdrawal of the certificate of return issued to Fayemi, upon winning the election, and to declare him (Oni) as the duly nominated APC candidate and duly elected governor.

    The case, which was initially filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja, was transferred by Justice Babatunde Quadri to the court’s division in Ado-Ekiti, on grounds of jurisdiction.

    In a judgment on December 10, 2018, Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti, dismissed Oni’s case for lacking in merit.

    Oni suffered a similar fate at the Court of Appeal, when the appellate court, in a judgment on February 12, 2019 dismissed his appeal for being unmeritorious.

    The Court of Appeal, among others, said Fayemi’s failure to resign as the then Minister of Solid Minerals to contest the May 12, 2018 governorship primary where he emerged as the candidate of APC was not enough to disqualify him.

    The court also held that Fayemi’s indictment by Justice Silas Oyewole led judicial panel of inquiry was not enough to bar him from participating in the election.

    The Court of Appeal held that it was only a conviction by a competent court of law that could bar an aspirant from a primary or general election and not mere indictment by a panel.

    It was also noted that the said indictment and the white paper issued by the state government had been set aside by a judgment by Justice Musa Othman of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Bwari, Abuja.

     

  • Breaking: Supreme Court upholds Fayemi’s election

    The Supreme Court has upheld the election of Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State.

    The court, in a unanimous judgment of a five-man panel, held on Wednesday that the appeal by Segun Oni, was statute barred.

    Justice Amiru Sanusi, in the lead judgment, held that the case, being a pre-election one, was not commenced at the trial court, within the required time, as stipulated under the Forth Alteration Act.

    Read Also: Fayemi appoints new Head of Service

    Oni, an ex-Governor of Ekiti State had appealed the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which upheld the decision of a Federal High Court, to the effect that his (Oni’s) challenge of Fayemi’s eligibility to contest the last governorship election in the state, was without merit.

     

    Details Later

     

  • Two farmers killed, three injured in Ekiti

    SUSPECTED herdsmen early yesterday attacked Eda, one of the communities under Iyemero town in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State.

    The gory incident claimed two lives and three persons were inflicted with injuries.

    Sources identified one of the dead as Mr. Danjuma Ali, a farmer. The identity of the second person, whose body has been deposited in the morgue of the General Hospital, Ikole-Ekiti, is yet to be known as at the time of going to the press.

    Those undergoing treatment at the emergency section of the Federal Teaching Hospital (FETHI), Ido-Ekiti include: Mrs. Jennifer Akoko, Mr. Joseph Achebe and one other victim.

    The source said: “It has happened again today; it has been a recurrent killing.  Some herders called Bororo stormed the farmstead and shot these innocent people.

    Read also: Herdsmen kill 16 at naming ceremony in Nasarawa community

    “They came around 1a.m. and were there till dawn. Our farmers are all afraid to go to their farms. They all rushed to the palace of Oba Ebenezer Agboola Ogungbemi, the Olu of Iyemero-Ekiti, to take refuge.

    “We are mourning today at Iyemero. We are not happy about this incident and the government must do something about it.”

    Oba Ogungbemi and Olu-In-Council restated their calls for establishment of a police station in the town to curb the activities of the herders.

    The monarch, who spoke through the palace spokesman, Chief Ariyo Abejide, said there was urgent need for the population of farmers in this farmstead to be protected and secured by the security agencies from another imminent attack by the marauders.

     

  • Community leader donates fans, cash to hospital

    The Head of Oke-Ahun community in Efon-Kingdom, Ekiti State, Alahun Jacob Adelowo Omole II has donated 10 ceiling fans to the Efon General Hospital.

    He also gave cash to patients in the hospital.

    Adelowo urged other eminent Nigerians from the ancient town to assist the hospital and patients generously.

    He said he decided to donate the items to the hospital because when he visited the hospital for treatment, he discovered that the facility has no fans. The Alahun said the gesture was to complement Governor Kayode Fayemi’s efforts in the health sector.

    Read also: Court resolves Ekiti communal land dispute

    Praising the governor, Adelowo said he has done a lot to make doctors and nurses comfortable in Ekiti State.

    He added: “We should all know that government alone cannot provide all the hospital and other government establishments need to operate successfully.”

    The event was witnessed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Chief Joseph Alake, the Erugbua of Obalu Quarters, Efon Kingdom; Chief Alaraka, Chief Oloro, Chief Elejofi, Mrs. Olayinka Adelowo and members of staff of the hospital.

    Alake, who promised to donate a modern electronic oxygen bank to the hospital, urged well-meaning indigenes of the town to emulate the Alahun.

  • Herdsmen kill two, injure three in Ekiti

    Tension brew in Iyemero community in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Monday as suspected herdsmen allegedly attacked the community.

    The suspected herdsmen at the wee hour of Monday attacked Eda, one of the communities under Iyemero town.

    The gory incident has claimed two lives and three others were inflicted with various degrees of injury.

    Sources identified one of the dead as Mr Danjuma Ali, a Muslim farmer while the identity of the second person whose bodies had been deposited in the morgue of the General hospital, Ikole Ekiti is still undisclosed as at the time of filing this report.

    Those undergoing medicare  at the emergency  section of the Federal Teaching Hospital(FETHI), Ido Ekiti include: Mrs Jennifer Akoko , Mr Joseph Achebe and one other victim.

    The source said: “It  has happened  again  today, it has been a recurrent killing. Some herders called  Bororo stormed the farmstead and  shot these innocent people.

    “They came around 1am and were there till dawn. Our farmers  are all afraid to go their farmsteads. They all rushed to the palace of  Oba Ebenezer Agboola Ogungbemi,  the Olu of Iyemero Ekiti to take refuge.

    “We are mourning today at Iyemero, we are not happy about this incident and the government must do something about it”, the source said.

    The Olu of Iyemero, Oba Ogungbemi and  Olu-In-Council, restated their calls for establishment of a police station in the town to curb the attackers.

    The monarch, who spoke through the palace spokesman, Chief Ariyo Abejide, said there was urgent need for the teeming population of farmers in this farmstead to be protected and secured by the security agencies from another seemingly and imminent attacks and onslaught from the marauders.

    Read Also: How to fund education, by ex-Ekiti Deputy Governor

    “These Fulani herders stormed the community through the border of Iyemero at Eruku in kwara state. This makes Iyemero  a porous exit and entrant, which portend dangers and insecurity to the community, ikole local government and the state in general”.

    Oba Ogungbemi urged the residents to be peaceful and  called  for immediate intervention of the state government in this regard.

    Also, the head of security and community  vigilante group,  Chief Jimoh Eshikin called  on the state government to empower the village hunters ,  in order to assist the security agents in effective Security surveillance  and patrol.

    When called for confirmation, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti Command, DSP Caleb Ikechukwu, said he has not been briefed about the matter.